Obituary: Richard HeyobRichard Heyob, age 83, husband of Debra K. Heyob, of Russellville, died Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, at his home. All services are private and by Shinn Funeral Service. The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.

Obituary: Phillip CarruthPhillip O. Carruth, Sr., 75, of Russellville, passed away Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. The son of David and Elsie (Owen) Carruth, he was born June 25, 1941, in Evansville, Ind. He was a high school graduate of Seminole High School in Seminole, Okla. and graduated with a master’s degree in economics and finance from Oklahoma State University. He married Phyllis Turpin on June 1, 1959, at Holde...

Obituary: Imogene FortenberryImogene Jones Fortenberry, age 91, of Russellville died Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, at Atkins Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Known by all as Nanny and Mama Jean, she was born on June 7, 1925, in Bass to Thomas Salmon and Mary Frances Taylor. Imogene was a member of the 5th and Greenwich Church of Christ. She was a custodial steward for the Russellville School system and for her church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by t...

Man faces sexual indecency with a minor chargesNathan C. Bacon, 19, had his bond set at $10,000 after District Judge Don Bourne determined probable cause to hold Bacon on charges of sexual indecency with a minor during felony bond hearings on Monday. Pope County Sheriff Investigator Chris Ridenhour testified authorities became aware of the incident after being contacted by the victim's parents. According to testimony, the victim, a 14-year-old female, was found sleeping in a car parked in ...

Man accused of raping and 'sexually grooming' a 4-year oldThe Clarksville Police Department arrested Charles A. Watson II, 30, on Friday for his involvement in an alleged rape of a 4-year-old male. After being read his rights, Watson allegedly admitted to his involvement in the incident. Watson was placed into custody at the Johnson County Detention Center and charged with three counts of rape and sexually grooming a child. His bond was set at $100,000 during felony bond hearings on Monday by Circuit...

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Courier staff reportsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Carruth, former mayor, alderman, diesPhil Carruth, who served as mayor, commission member and was going to serve on the City Council again in January 2017, died Saturday in Northwest Arkansas. Carruth was going to serve on the City Council again in January since he ran for the Ward 1, Position 1 seat unopposed, and no one else filed to run against him in November. He was also a member of the Russellville Regional Airport Commission and was appointed last year. Carruth, who was a ...

Police, community forum slatedArkansas Tech University will host a police and community open forum at Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center room 300 from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Law enforcement representatives will share their experiences and participate in a panel discussion concerning best practices for community policing. Members of the audience will be able to ask questions to gain a better understanding of how police officers serve and protect. Those...

Atkins Nursing and Rehabilitation ribbon cuttingTHE COURIER / Submitted Atkins Nursing and Rehabilitation has gone through a complete renovation and recently celebrated with a ribbon cutting. For more information about their services visit them at 605 NW 7th Street in Atkins or call at 479-641-7100.

Casino campaign asks Arkansas court to dismiss challengeLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The campaign behind an effort to legalize casinos in three Arkansas counties is asking the state's highest court to dismiss a lawsuit trying to block votes for the ballot measure. Arkansas Wins in 2016 asked the state Supreme Court on Monday to dismiss the lawsuit by opponents that claims the ballot measure is misleading and that supporters didn't follow the law for reporting paid canvassers. The lawsuit asks the court...

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

High: 97 Low:65Today: Patchy fog before 11a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 97. Calm wind. Tonight: Clear, with a low around 65. Calm wind. Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind. Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Calm wind...

Arkansas eyes tolls for 13-mile stretch of interstateLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — State highway officials have commissioned a study to determine whether the state should use tolls to build a new section of Interstate 49 in western Arkansas. The Arkansas Highway Commission is also asking consultants to study whether a private company should operate and maintain the proposed tollway instead of the state. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://bit.ly/2ck0cJv ), highway officials are conside...

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESSThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Obituary: Phillip CarruthPhillip O. Carruth, Sr., 75, of Russellville, passed away Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. The son of David and Elsie (Owen) Carruth, he was born June 25, 1941, in Evansville, Ind. Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, at First United Methodist Church in Russellville. A private burial will be held at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Russellville by Humphrey Funeral Service....

Obituary: Brig PetersonBrig Peterson, age 63, died Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born on Feb. 9, 1953, in Quantico, Va., to Harry and Louisa Peterson. Brig served in the United States Air Force and was a former Battalion Chief with the Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nev., for 32 years. He and his wife retired to Russellville where he was a former volunteer at the Pottsville Fire Department, and past president of...

Obituary: Florence FrankhouseFlorence Drummond Frankhouse, age 88, of Russellville, died Friday, Sept.16, 2016, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Russellville. She was born June 20, 1928, to John Edward and Florence Helen Smith Drummond. Florence was a loving mother and grandmother. She was a travel agent who, during her career, visited 130 countries. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Penn State University. She loved to write and was a collector....

Obituary:William M. Stanley Jr.LOUISIANA — William M. “ Bill” Stanley Jr., formerly of Atkins, passed away Sept.5, 2016, at his home, at age 66. He was a Marine Specialist with DOW chemical and a resident of Brusly, La. He loved his friends, family and the outdoors. He was preceded in death by his father William M. Stanley Sr. He is survived by his wife, Gail Stanley; mother Vivian Stanley, daughter Cindy S. Guillot and Dale Dion; son Billy Wayne ( Amanda) Stanley; grandchi...

Obituary: Ollie McGuireATKINS — Ollie McGuire, 100, formerly of Atkins, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 2016, at Shepherd of the Hills Nursing Center in Branson, Mo. She was born Nov. 29, 1915, in Atwood, Okla., and was the daughter of Oll and Mary Horton Johnson. She was a homemaker and a member of the St. Joe Freewill Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 64 years, Otto McGuire; a granddaughter, Debra McVay; three sisters, Vestal Roach,...

Obituary: Anna BlevinsAnna Sue Blevins, 92, passed away on Sept. 12, 2016. She was born Nov. 7, 1923, in Atkins, to Reece Lafayette Alewine and Leah Emmert. Sue was known affectionately to her family as “Tu.” She and her sister, Doris Gray, delighted in telling stories of seemingly boundless youthful freedom and adventure in and around Atkins, climbing Crow Mountain and hopping trains with their friends. Sue was named the local high school homecoming queen in 1941....

Atkins starts Business Partners of the MonthATKINS — The Atkins School Board discussed the school’s Business Partner of the Month program, new band uniforms and approved items. The district adopted a new monthly program that recognizes school business partners for the support they provide. Superintendent Joe Fisher said the school wanted a way to recognize them. “We saw a need to recognize business partners who work with us to provide services to the school district,” he said. “Our firs...

Pottsville school receives $5,000 grantPOTTSVILLE — Pottsville High School was recently awarded a $5,000 grant. Ed Roberts, astronomy, physics and environmental science teacher, said the grant was received from the CenturyLink Teachers and Technology grant program. The program is funded by the Clarke M. Williams foundation and its purpose is to aid teachers in implementing technology in their classrooms. The money was used to purchase supplies such as Little Bits electronic kits wh...